Posted by KS on May 1st, 2009 — Posted in Signs of the times
In Massachusetts, jobless individuals are making thirty-second video recordings of themselves, to be aired at a television show. The approach, which has been hailed as the “cutting edge” in job searching, has received mixed responses from viewers and non-viewers alike.
One of the main problems of the show was the audience. Are employers actually watching the show? Are they interested in what these jobless folks have to say on camera? So many questions, but the producers of the show itself are quite most of the time.
Whether this stunt would become a small solution to a deepening problem remains to be seen. Let’s not hope that this doesn’t merely end up in the heap of You Tube has-beens.
Posted by KS on April 30th, 2009 — Posted in World financial crisis
How deep is the crisis? How deep is deep? What industries are involved in the deadly pirouette to bankruptcy? Just recently, the company International Paper shut down one of its largest paper plants. The company doesn’t even produce printable paper. Instead, it produces corrugated stuff for boxes.
If something as simple as corrugated boxes is in trouble, what does this spell for people like you and me? It couldn’t possibly be good. We’re talking about a sustained collapse that could hit anyone at any time. When International Paper closed its plant, more than a hundred individuals became instantly jobless.
What would you do if you instantly lost your job?
Posted by KS on April 29th, 2009 — Posted in Your money and your world
Insurance is probably the most boring topic for many people. But when the fire hits the home, it’s the first thing that people turn to for help. If your insurance company hasn’t collapsed yet, then it’s probably time to upgrade or examine whether you’re not overspending yet.
For example, long-term insurance after retirement should be adequate for everything that you might need. If your insurance skimps on costs like hospitalization, then you might not be getting your money’s worth. Don’t be afraid to ask financial advisors or financial consultants whether you’re being had.
It’s not only the money you’re spending now that we’re trying to safeguard. Ultimately, protecting your insurance translates to protecting yourself in times of need.
Posted by KS on April 28th, 2009 — Posted in Your money and your world
One of the most important things you have to remember when trying to instill something important in your kids is this: show, don’t preach. Don’t preach to them about the value of saving; show that you know how to save. Don’t tell them that they should do this and that without showing that you can, too.
One of the biggest problems in the United States is that parents often spoil their families without realizing the consequences of the overspending. While it’s fine to show just how much you’re willing to spend on your loved ones, you can show more love by showing that they’re financially stable even a decade from today.
Posted by KS on April 27th, 2009 — Posted in Your money and your world
Credit cards offer the most expensive form of money in the world. Imagine, you’d have to pay for simply using money. For many people, credit is no longer a luxury; it’s just an unpleasant fact, like death and taxes. While people in many countries consider the use of credit cards normal, it doesn’t make credit cards less wealth destroying.
To remedy this problem, go back to the basics of economics. Pay with cash. If you can’t sustain a lifestyle with your paycheck, drop it. No luxury is so important that you play with your financial future for it. If you know that it’s a luxury, then simply let go of it. Don’t think of the ‘moment’; think of the long-term.
Posted by KS on April 26th, 2009 — Posted in News from all over
Two years ago, global tourism was reaching fever pitch with literally millions of people literally going out of their way to fly to exotic locations around the globe. Now, there’s a global slowdown in tourism. People no longer have enough money to spend on large ‘entertainment costs’ such as touring the world.
Since people are wising up on their spending, you should, too. If you can stick to your own country while vacationing, you’d saving thousands of dollars. In addition, a thousand dollars is a literal lifesaver nowadays. Don’t burn your cash on something that’s fleeting and absurdly expensive. Put it in a bank in a savings account (the most basic) or invest it in something. Make it grow.
Posted by KS on April 25th, 2009 — Posted in Your money and your world
We know that money is the hardest thing to come by nowadays. Bills come and go like seasons, but money is an elusive elk. That’s why there must be a conscious effort to save the green stuff for more pressing times. However, where should people begin?
If you’re driving a car, start there. While cars are considered wealth-destroyers, your car story shouldn’t be a tragedy, too. Consider the normal things you spend on your car, and re-evaluate. For example, buying expensive types of gasoline or diesel just because of the “value added” features that claim to save you more money. If you can subside on something that costs less, then stick to those things.
Posted by KS on April 24th, 2009 — Posted in World financial crisis
In Venezuela, the only bid for the Stanford Bank was $58 million. Too low for the government’s taste, and so they simply shut down the auction. They plan to reopen the sale of the bank to anyone who would be willing to shell out more than $180 million; the actual price of the bank. Where would all the money go?
Well, the government would be using it to back up the accounts in the bank. To prevent any more problems, the government is going to control the operations of the bank so that it would not follow the cycle of other banks worldwide. The boom and bust cycle does not help the banking system in any way.
Posted by KS on April 24th, 2009 — Posted in Politics & economics in the US
Even in tough economic times, solar power in the United States is moving forward at a comfortably upward pace. For instance, First Solar Inc. has been showing signs of robustness by absorbing several projects from a rival company. According to the company, the move was done so that it would be able to spearhead production in several areas in Arizona.
Is this effort enough to turn around the energy crisis? Unfortunately, no. The smaller energy industries that are taking risks by developing alternative energy sources are being very cautious. The industries have none of the wildcat energy that paved the way for the worldwide use of crude oil. At this pace, usable alternative energy on a global scale would take decades to emerge.
Posted by KS on April 23rd, 2009 — Posted in Your money and your world
You can’t afford bad financial advice nowadays. If you’re facing a potential lawsuit or bankruptcy, you need financial sages at your side. You don’t need uppity graduates from business school; you need levelheaded individuals who know the credit system and the law like their mother’s house.
This is why referrals are so important in the world of financial advice. When someone trusts an institution or company so much that he or she risks his or her own name by referring, then you’re probably safe. You would’ve done the same if you had a particularly good time with a debt management company.
What’s at risk when your financial life goes awry? Let’s be very clear about it: everything you own, and everything you cherish would be in danger.